THE PAST 12 MONTHS HAVE SEEN REMARKABLE PRICES FOR RARE TIMEPIECES, EXQUISITE JEWELRY AND UNIQUE HANDBAGS. HERE ARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS.
Patek Philippe, Ref. 2526P, Calatrava with First Series Enamel Dial, Retailed by Tiffany & Co, circa 1954
This Patek Philippe “is truly one-of-a-kind,” says Jim Wolf, Heritage Auctions’ director of watches and fine timepieces. “It’s the rarest vintage Patek Philippe to surface in decades, with its double signature Patek Philippe and Tiffany & Co. first-generation enameled dial, the impressive unpolished platinum case and original Tiffany & Co. platinum band.”
Sold for: $642,500
May 2018
Hermès 32cm Matte White Himalayan Nilo Crocodile Retourne Kelly Bag with Palladium Hardware
Sold for: $125,000
December 2017
Hermès 30cm Matte Gris Cendre Himalayan Nilo Crocodile Birkin Bag with Palladium Hardware
Sold for: $112,500
September 2017
Hermès Limited Edition 30cm Matte So Black Nilo Crocodile Birkin Bag with PVD Hardware
“Each bag is a masterpiece in and of itself,” says Heritage Auctions handbag expert Diane D’Amato. “Together, they are the trifecta in perfection. The bags are the ultimate in luxury collecting, exquisitely handcrafted from the rarest exotics.”
Sold for: $87,500
December 2017
Fancy Intense Purplish-Pink Diamond, Diamond, Platinum Ring
“What made this ring so desirable,” says Jill Burgum, senior director of fine jewelry at Heritage Auctions, “was its strikingly intense purplish-pink color. It is incredibly rare to discover a pink diamond with saturation of this level.”
Sold for: $372,500
September 2017
Fancy Light Yellow Diamond, Diamond, Gold Ring
“At just over 22 carats, the scale of this diamond is quite unusual,” says Heritage Auctions jewelry specialist Jill Burgum, “and the color creates the impression of sunshine captured in a wearable crystalized form.”
Sold for: $324,500
December 2017
Rolex, Ref. 6239, ‘Paul Newman’ Cosmograph Daytona, circa 1969
“Fresh to the market, this Newman Daytona is in the upper echelon of examples recently sold,” says Jim Wolf, Heritage Auctions’ director of watches and fine timepieces. “The tri-color reverse panda dial is exceptional and all elements are 100 percent original.”
Sold for: $225,000
May 2018
Patek Philippe, Ref. 5004P-021, Platinum Perpetual Calendar Split Seconds Chronograph with Moon Phases, circa 1998
This Patek Philippe “is a true modern masterpiece of horology, with 13 complications and superior mechanical engineering,” says Jim Wolf of Heritage Auctions.
Sold for: $190,000
October 2017
Diamond, Gold Ring
“Round, brilliant-cut diamonds typically command higher prices than their fancy-shaped counterparts,” Burgum says. “This diamond was even more special in that it was colorless and over 3 carats.”
Sold for: $137,500
December 2017
Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold Necklace
This stunning piece features pear-shaped sapphires enhanced by marquise-cut diamonds. “The necklace,” Burgum says, “is fit for royalty and the red carpet.”
Sold for: $77,500
March, 2018
This story appears in the Fall 2018 edition of The Intelligent Collector magazine. Click here to subscribe.